This book gathers for the first time the English-language fiction of the first Mexican-American woman to appear in major U.S. magazines, MarÕa Cristina Mena. Written between 1913 and 1931 and published in such periodicals as Century, Cosmopolitan and T.S. EliotÍs Criterion, the short stories collected here include her best known work, ñThe Vine-Leaf.î Mena portrays life in Mexico both before and during the revolution of 1910 in stories that depict tradition and upheaval, class hierarchy and social customs under Porfirio DÕaz, the changing roles of women, the influences of Spain and the United States, and the effects of capitalism and modernization. These intriguing narratives open a window onto MexicoÍs past, and their underlying themes remain relevant to readers today. Amy DohertyÍs critical introduction features newly recovered biographical information about the author, and includes excerpts of MenaÍs correspondences with her magazine editors and with her friend D.H. Lawrence.